Page 40 of Spring Awakening

“’Ight,” he replies, pulling his list out. “Let’s copy some of Mum’s stuff. She wants lamb chops and mash.”

“Oh my God,” Mali moans as Zach reaches for some apples. They're not Pink Lady's so she's not interested. “I want that. Do you wanna bring her for dinner at ours?”

Zach’s hands drop. Luckily, he hadn’t picked up any apples yet, or they’d be scrambling on the floor to pick them up. Okay, so maybe not friends. “What?”

Mali blinks. Here she goes, offering up things he clearly isn’t interested in.

“I mean, you don’t have to. But if you want to bring her for tea, you can.”

“Oh.”

“I can go out,” she carries on, feeling the heat wrap around her neck. “You know, if you wanted to bring her over but it’s too much having me there. I know I can be a lot. Frank wants to get dinner this week anyway.” Zach frowns, and he is honestly the most confusing person she’s ever met in her entire life. Really, she should stay away and not get involved. She asks him anyway. “What’s wrong? Because you said you were okay, but you’re a bad liar, honey. And no, you don’t have to tell me anything, but if you want to, I’m a good listener.”

“The other day Frankie tried to tell you about her focaccia disaster and you kept interrupting with song lyrics,” Zach replies, but he’s smiling at her.

“She was asking for it! Who takes seven minutes to describe making bread badly?”

Zach laughs, then rubs his hand over his forehead. “I don’t know what to do about Mum. I can’t trust Devon.”

A tiny part of her that she’s trying to ignore is worried he’s going to move out. He mentioned a while back that he couldn’t move in with his mum because of the space. At the time Mali didn’t know Devon existed, so surely now, there’s even lessspace? She doesn’t want Zach to leave. She’s getting used to seeing his jumper on the dining table, and she likes to see how he folds the blankets in the morning even though he doesn’t use them, and she hasn’t even gotten a photo of Buffy sleeping on him yet.

“Why not?” she asks.

“He sold her washing machine and dryer.” He scoffs. “I just—I feel bad, but when he’s so determined not to get help, it’s easier when he’s not around. I spend so long worrying about her, and he’s supposed to help, but I can’t leave her with him. Now, I’ve got a carload of laundry to wash and dry, and the nearest laundrette is closed.”

God, it all sounds so awful, and she knows how hard he works to make sure his mum is okay, so Mali does the only thing she can think of—she hugs him. Full arms around his waist, head against his chest hugs him.

“I’m sorry, Zach.”

“Thanks,” he mumbles, and when she pulls back, she thinks it’s possible he didn’t move at all. His eyes are about as wide as she thinks they'd go. Did he hug her back? His arms suggest not, which is awkward, but she’s going to ignore it.

“Take your mum’s stuff home. We have a washing machine and a dryer. Also, it’s dry tomorrow, so stuff can go on the line easily enough.”

“I can’t do that,” Zach replies, his voice so quiet she can barely hear it over the scoffing of an old lady who wants fruit. Mali moves the trolley to the corner, and Zach follows her.

Mali frowns. “Why not?”

“I’m already taking over your life. I can’t—”

“Zach,” she says, stopping him in his tracks. She wants to touch him again. She’ll respect his wishes of clearly not wanting that, but at least this confession tells her maybe he doesn’t hate her. He’s just nervous. “You have like three mugs at my place,and I never see you. Bring the washing home, and your mum. Please. I want lamb and mash so bad.”

“She did ask to see you,” he says, with a small smile.

Mali smiles so wide she thinks she must look like the joker. “We need to be best friends! It’s in the stars. Can you just say yes, please?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Yay! Okay, what’s on the list?” She goes to turn, but there’s a small child staring up at her with the most awed face she’s ever seen. Well, he’s looking at Zach, but Zach hasn’t noticed him yet.

“Sorry,” a woman—she assumes his mother because the child leans his entire tiny body back against her—says. “Uhm, is it possible to get an autograph?”

Mali looks up at Zach. This might be the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to her. Zach looks confused.

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

The child takes his hands away from his mouth, and his cheeks are so red Mali’s surprised he hasn’t burst into flames. “You’re Zachariah Azan,” he says.

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